The public prosecutor's office in Argentina shared a post-autopsy report Thursday that revealed new details about what led to Payne's sudden death Wednesday afternoon at age 31. According to the report, the former One Direction member died from multiple traumas, internal and external bleeding, and a skull injury as a result of his fall. Initial investigations also indicate the presence of narcotics in his hotel room.

“The circumstances of the case are being investigated as a 'questionable death', although everything indicates that the musician was alone at the time of the fall and was experiencing some type of drug abuse,” the statement said in Spanish.

According to the report, Payne fell from the balcony of his hotel room in CasaSur at 5:07 p.m. local time on Wednesday. Minutes earlier, an employee had called 911 about a “guest who was under the influence of drugs and alcohol and had destroyed some items in the room.”

“The forensic experts reported that the 25 injuries described in the autopsy were consistent with those caused by a fall from a height,” the report said. “They also indicated that the traumatic brain injuries were sufficient to cause death, while internal and external bleeding into the skull, chest, abdomen and limbs contributed to the mechanism of death.”

When police arrived after receiving the initial 911 call, Payne had fallen from the balcony of his room and had died due to the “severity of his injuries.” The report indicates that forensic science is now awaiting the results of histopathological, biochemical and toxicology reports to better understand the substances that may have been in his body at the time of his death. However, initial investigations revealed that there were “narcotics and alcoholic beverages as well as various destroyed objects and furniture” in his room.

According to the report, forensic experts found no evidence of foul play on Payne's body or injuries that would indicate third parties were involved in his death. The position Payne landed in showed he “did not take a reflexive stance to protect himself,” the report said. According to prosecutors, authorities interviewed three hotel employees and two women who were “in his room with the musician” hours before Payne's fall.

The Buenos Aires security minister confirmed Payne's death Rolling Stone On Wednesday afternoon, SAME director Alberto Crescenti told the local press that the artist fell from “about 13 or 14 meters” and that Payne suffered “serious injuries incompatible with life.”

Argentine CNN affiliate Todo Notices shared audio recordings of a 911 call from hotel staff to Buenos Aires police, shedding additional light on the tragedy. Hotel staff contacted police at around 5pm local time and asked for immediate help for “a guest overwhelmed by drugs and alcohol”.

Payne's family issued a statement on the BBC on Thursday saying they were “heartbroken” over his death.

“We are heartbroken,” the Payne family said. “Liam will live in our hearts forever and we will remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We support each other as a family as best we can and ask for privacy and space during this terrible time.”